The Saps has not taken over operational control of any institution of higher learning in the country‚ acting national commissioner Lieutenant-General Khomotso Phahlane said on Monday.
Addressing a media briefing on the police’s response to the nation-wide fees protests‚ Phahlane said‚ “the management and security within the institutions of higher learning remain the responsibility of the university concerned“.
“However‚ the Saps will continue to execute the functions of policing as provided for by the Constitution... In doing so‚ we are not going to be apologetic and cannot be intimidated by irresponsible reports and propaganda spread through the media.”
On Friday night’s chaotic scenes in Braamfontein‚ Phahlane said “a group of 30 to 50 persons literally went on the rampage... stoning and setting vehicles alight“.
“Police members attended the scene and were also pelted with stones from and bottles from the street and from the tops of buildings.”
He listed a string of other incidents of violence‚ property damage and arson at universities across the country.
“These incidents bears testimony to our previous assertion that criminal elements or groups with their own agendas have infiltrated the #FeesMustFall initiative for their own purposes.
“We have also noted developing trends of protestors covering their faces to avoid being identified‚ IT systems being targeted on campuses and students protesting on campuses other than where they are registered to study.
“These are all indications of a concerted effort to conduct protest action in a violent‚ unlawful manner with the intention of destroying property and creating an unruly environment.”
Phahlane said that to date‚ 567 people had been arrested in 265 cases.
He denied allegations that the police were specifically targeting student leaders or trying to destabilise the #FeesMustFall initiative.
“This is untrue. The role of the police is to prevent‚ investigate and combat crime and to maintain stability. That is the role we are playing at universities across the country. Those who commit acts of criminality will be investigated and when sufficient evidence is obtained after a thorough investigation‚ arrests will be effected.”
Another area of concern‚ said Phahlane‚ was a “disinformation campaign” spead via social media and alleging that female students had been attacked‚ assaulted and randomly shot in their residences‚ particularly at Wits.
“We have looked into these allegations and found absolutely no evidence to support them and police deployed there have vehemently denied such conduct.”
He appealed to anyone who claims to have been treated in such a manner by the police to open a criminal case.
“Trial by social media is totally inadequate and does not allow for both sides to state their cases factually and for the truth to be made known.”
Police have not taken control of varsities: Phahlane
The Saps has not taken over operational control of any institution of higher learning in the country‚ acting national commissioner Lieutenant-General Khomotso Phahlane said on Monday.
Addressing a media briefing on the police’s response to the nation-wide fees protests‚ Phahlane said‚ “the management and security within the institutions of higher learning remain the responsibility of the university concerned“.
“However‚ the Saps will continue to execute the functions of policing as provided for by the Constitution... In doing so‚ we are not going to be apologetic and cannot be intimidated by irresponsible reports and propaganda spread through the media.”
On Friday night’s chaotic scenes in Braamfontein‚ Phahlane said “a group of 30 to 50 persons literally went on the rampage... stoning and setting vehicles alight“.
“Police members attended the scene and were also pelted with stones from and bottles from the street and from the tops of buildings.”
He listed a string of other incidents of violence‚ property damage and arson at universities across the country.
“These incidents bears testimony to our previous assertion that criminal elements or groups with their own agendas have infiltrated the #FeesMustFall initiative for their own purposes.
“We have also noted developing trends of protestors covering their faces to avoid being identified‚ IT systems being targeted on campuses and students protesting on campuses other than where they are registered to study.
“These are all indications of a concerted effort to conduct protest action in a violent‚ unlawful manner with the intention of destroying property and creating an unruly environment.”
Phahlane said that to date‚ 567 people had been arrested in 265 cases.
He denied allegations that the police were specifically targeting student leaders or trying to destabilise the #FeesMustFall initiative.
“This is untrue. The role of the police is to prevent‚ investigate and combat crime and to maintain stability. That is the role we are playing at universities across the country. Those who commit acts of criminality will be investigated and when sufficient evidence is obtained after a thorough investigation‚ arrests will be effected.”
Another area of concern‚ said Phahlane‚ was a “disinformation campaign” spead via social media and alleging that female students had been attacked‚ assaulted and randomly shot in their residences‚ particularly at Wits.
“We have looked into these allegations and found absolutely no evidence to support them and police deployed there have vehemently denied such conduct.”
He appealed to anyone who claims to have been treated in such a manner by the police to open a criminal case.
“Trial by social media is totally inadequate and does not allow for both sides to state their cases factually and for the truth to be made known.”
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